The perks of aging: discounts, deals and other savings for seniors

People are healthier and living longer than ever before, and there are many financial perks in the form of discounts, deals and other savings that can make getting older even more rewarding. Here are eight of our favorite ways for seniors to save right now. Keep in mind that promotions change, so it’s important to check company websites or call them directly to verify whether a discount or deal is still in place.

1. Shop ‘til you drop: Did you know that many retailers offer a senior citizens discount? For example, Banana Republic gives a 10 percent discount to anyone over 50…you just have to ask for it. Some offer deals on certain days of the week. For example, the Marshalls and Ross outlet stores both offer a 10 percent discount for seniors on Tuesdays, and Kohl’s offers 15 percent off to anyone over 60 on Wednesdays. Walgreen’s has a senior day once a month (varies by location). And if you’re a rewards member, discounts can be as high as 20 percent. Click here for more on retail discounts.

2. Eat your heart out: Deals may vary depending on where you live, but many restaurants offer amazing dining deals for the 55+ set, from Dunkin’ Donuts to Boston Market to McCormick & Schmick’s to many more. Check this list for the latest—but be sure to call ahead to verify that the discount is still in place.

3. Get a better car insurance rate: Have you revisited your car insurance policy lately? If you’re a senior, you should. It might be time to change your insurance policy to one that’s more senior-friendly altogether, such as this year’s list toppers like The Hartford AARP Program, Amica Insurance or Allstate Insurance, which offers a discount to retired policyholders over 55. If you have no accidents or tickets in the past two years, you can probably find a much lower rate. Compare quotes with multiple companies by working with a trusted independent insurance broker to review your plan.

4. Save on prescriptions: Did you know that you can save big on prescriptions with a discount card for seniors? Rite Aid, Costco, Walgreens and more offer special discounts off the price of thousands of medications and other benefits. If you haven’t already, now is a good time to check with your pharmacy or insurance company to see what they offer.

5. Save big on entertainment: If you’re a movie buff, you can get senior discounts at most major theater chains. But click here to learn how to get extra savings on certain days and more at many local and national chains. If you’re an at-home viewer, switching from cable to Netflix or Amazon Prime Video can save a lot of money. You can get many cable channels without a monthly fee. And all the local news, sports and thousands of movies are free with an antenna (retro is in).

6. Read all you want, for less: You can save space on your bookshelves by borrowing books from your local library and reading them on your Kindle e-reader. What’s more, the font size on these popular e-readers is adjustable for those whose vision isn’t as sharp as it used to be. You can’t adjust the size on traditional books.

7. Travel your bucket list: Retirement is the time for traveling to all those places you’ve dreamed about visiting—and discounts and deals for seniors make it easier. For example, Amtrak offers 15 percent off to travelers 62 or older and on select sailings Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Costa Cruises and Cruise Direct all make it easier to sail the high seas. And you can get discounted pricing at national parks, too. Click here to discover current offers.

8. Get fit for less: Did you know that you may be eligible to exercise for free at many local fitness facilities around the country? If you’re a retiree or part of a Medicare health plan, you could be eligible for a free SilverSneakers membership, which gets you access to classes, activities, gym time and more. Ask your local gym whether they participate in the program or have other discounts for seniors.

When most of us think about retirement, we think about money first: how much we will save before hitting the full Social Security retirement age of 67. But successful retirement is not just about money. In fact, no amount of money will guarantee a happy retirement. Read our four questions to ask as you plan for retirement. Or, brush up on retirement basics here.